Perceptions of Intellectual Diversity Among Religious/Conservative Undergraduate Seniors at Highly Selective US Universities: Is the University a Liberal Hegemony?

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn the past decade, issues of intellectual diversity at elite universities in the United States have resurfaced after years of dormancy. Leading the charge as been the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), which argues that ideologically left-leaning elite universities in the United States inhibit conservative thought. Using data from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) College Senior Survey of universities ranked as high and very high selectivity (N = 5587), this study explored the questions of whether religious/socially conservative undergraduate seniors at elite universities systematically perceive a campus climate that is less respectful of diverse beliefs than their less religious/socially conservative counterparts, and how religious/social conservatism is related to the perception of intellectual diversity. A Rasch model helped evaluate the religious/social conservatism construct. Students who scored high on the religious/social conservative scale perceived their university as less accommodating of diverse beliefs. Students’ perception of a campus climate respectful of diverse beliefs was negatively associated with religious/socially conservative indicators.